Home remedies for vertigo include the Epley maneuver, acupressure, staying hydrated, vitamin D supplements, and ginger tea. If these do not help, medication is available.
Vertigo is a feeling that the environment is moving or spinning. It can occur when a person is in motion or still. Vertigo can cause nausea and balance problems, limiting a person’s daily functioning.
Vertigo can have various causes, such as vestibular disorders, which cause problems with the balance organs of the inner ear.
This article describes some home remedies for vertigo, other treatments, and when to see a doctor.
The following sections explain how people can manage vertigo naturally using various home remedies.
Epley maneuver
One of the most common ways to manage vertigo is a technique called the Epley maneuver. This involves following a set of steps before bed each night to reduce or resolve vertigo symptoms.
A
The following Epley maneuver instructions are for symptoms of vertigo that occur from the left side and left ear:
- Sit on the edge of a bed and turn the head 45 degrees to the left.
- Lie down quickly and face head up on the bed at a 45-degree angle.
- Maintain the position for 30 seconds.
- Turn the head halfway — 90 degrees — to the right without raising it for 30 seconds.
- Turn the head and entire body to the right side, looking downward for 30 seconds.
- Slowly sit up but remain sitting for at least a few minutes.
If vertigo starts on the right side in the right ear, substitute left and right in the instructions above.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a Chinese herb known for resolving the symptoms of vertigo. Scientists are uncertain exactly how it works, but it appears to thin the blood and improve blood flow to the brain.
A 2021 review of studies reported that gingko biloba extract worked better than a placebo and was as effective as betahistine, a histamine medication, in managing vertigo.
Ginger tea
Older research from 2015 found that ginger root can reduce the effects of vertigo better than manual repositioning, such as the Epley maneuver.
To make ginger tea, peel and grate ginger root and add it to hot water. People can add lemon, honey, or cinnamon to adjust the taste. Regularly drinking ginger tea may help with dizziness, nausea, and other vertigo symptoms.
Read more about the benefits of ginger tea.
Staying hydrated
Dehydration may contribute to vertigo. A 2022 study investigated the association between water intake and vestibular disorders.
The researchers found that the participants in the study drank far less than the recommended daily water intake, which can affect how the body’s systems function. This led them to conclude that not drinking enough water can be a risk factor for certain vestibular disorders.
Learn more about the benefits of drinking water.
Vitamin D supplements
Some studies report low levels of vitamin D in people with vestibular disorders. A 2019 study examined vitamin D levels in 59 people with vestibular neuritis (VN) and compared them to people without VN.
The researchers found significantly more vitamin D deficiency in the VN group than in those without VN. This suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to vertigo in some cases.
People can increase their vitamin D levels by taking supplements and exposing their skin to sunlight.
Read more about getting vitamin D from the sun.
Acupressure
Acupressure applies the same principles as acupuncture but without using needles. The goal of acupressure is to promote wellness and relaxation. It may help manage vertigo by stimulating pressure points throughout the body.
One
Finding the P6 acupressure point
To find P6, follow these steps:
1. Position the hand with the palm facing up.
2. Place the middle three fingers of the other hand across the wrist, below the wrist crease.
3. Place the thumb just below the index finger and keep it on that spot while removing the other fingers from the wrist. There are two large tendons. Between them is pressure point P6.
4. Press down on P6 with the thumb and move the thumb in a circular motion for 2–3 minutes. Apply pressure firmly but without causing pain.
5. Repeat these steps on the other wrist.
Learn about the symptoms and causes of vertigo.
Vertigo sometimes resolves without treatment. However, a person may need medication to treat the underlying cause, such as antibiotics.
Doctors may recommend the following medications to reduce vertigo:
- benzodiazepines
- antihistamines
- anticholinergics
- antiemetics
For people who have recurrent episodes of vertigo, a type of physical therapy called vestibular rehabilitation can help. Vestibular rehabilitation encourages the central nervous system to compensate for inner ear problems.
Anyone who experiences recurring vertigo should discuss their symptoms with a doctor. A doctor can help determine the underlying cause and prescribe medication or physical therapy if necessary.
A person experiencing vertigo may feel dizzy and as if the room is spinning. They may also feel nauseous.
To reduce symptoms of vertigo, a person can try home remedies, such as drinking ginger tea, using the P6 acupressure method, trying the Epley maneuver, and staying hydrated.
If home remedies do not reduce vertigo symptoms, a person should discuss other treatments with a doctor.